KDDI has joined forces with independent venture capital firm Global Brain to establish KDDI Open Innovation Fund 3 (KOIF3), a fund that will invest in venture firms that hold promise for generating synergy with KDDI group companies in the coming 5G era.
KDDI first started the Open Innovation Fund in 2012 in partnership with Global Brain to support promising startup companies.
KDDI plans to invest approximately 20 billion yen in the next five years via the new fund in startups in areas such as AI, IoT, Big Data etc in the 5G era.
The investment programs established with KOIF3 will reinforce efforts by KDDI and its group companies to use their networks among venture companies as well as their experience and knowledge of technology and business to seek out promising venture firms in fields such as AI and IoT, which will grow ever more crucial in the 5G age.
The investment programs will also make it possible not just for KDDI but also for its group companies to proactively undertake joint development efforts with venture firms.